A husband and wife will walk across the graduation stage at Globe Life Field on Sunday, each receiving a doctoral degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Their achievement caps a journey that included adapting to a new culture, navigating the COVID 19 pandemic, welcoming their first child and supporting each other every step of the way.
For Akash Talukder and Rashna Sharmin, earning PhDs as international students from Bangladesh while raising a young child is more than an accomplishment—it's a story they hope will inspire others who question whether higher education is within reach. Their message is simple: It can be done, especially with the support systems available at UT Arlington.
From admission staff who guided them through pandemic-era uncertainties to faculty mentors who prioritized student success to childcare resources that made balancing life and research a little more manageable, the resources available at UTA were key to helping them achieve their educational dreams.
"UTA is one of the most diverse schools. It felt like home immediately," said Dr. Sharmin, who earned her Ph.D. in quantitative biology under the guidance of Piya Ghose. "People were always positive and welcoming, and I had UTA community support throughout my journey."
Dr. Talukder, who earned his Ph.D. in chemistry under the guidance of Saiful Chowdhury, added: "Student organizations played a big role in my experience—the Bangladeshi Student Organization and the Chemistry Graduate Student Association. I eventually served as vice president of the former and president of the latter. That helped me grow as a leader and communicator. Overall, UTA's community support was exceptional."
Coming to America
Talukder and Sharmin's journey began long before UTA. They attended the same high school in Bangladesh and later pursued undergraduate degrees at the University of Dhaka.
Their friendship grew into a relationship during college, and they married in April 2019 before moving to the U.S. for Talukder's doctoral degree in Dr. Chowdhury's lab.
Chowdhury's lab is internationally recognized for developing new approaches to interpret protein-to-protein interactions and their structures. This work is essential in proteomics research, helping scientists understand how these interactions drive harmful inflammation, a process linked to cancer and other diseases.
Talukder, who was named the 2023 Charles K. Baker Character Fellowship Award recipient, played a pivotal role in the lab, with his findings being published in leading journals such as the Journal of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry and Analytical Chemistry. He also presented his research at six international scientific conferences. He graduated in 2024 (he deferred walking the stage at commencement until Sharmin completed her degree) and began his career as a scientist, recently becoming a bioanalytical scientist at a bioanalysis service company in Maryland.
Sharmin followed her husband to UTA with an expected start date in summer 2020, but her academic journey was delayed due to the pandemic. She began in spring 2021 under Dr. Ghose, a developmental geneticist whose lab has produced significant discoveries in programmed cell death.
Sharmin led one of those breakthroughs, published in Current Biology, showing that mitochondria can protect a cell from dying in a way that does not involve producing energy. The finding offers a deeper understanding of how complex cell death is regulated and could help researchers develop more targeted treatments for diseases such as cancer. She also presented her work at several national and international conferences through oral and poster presentations.
Sharmin completed her doctoral work this semester and is excited to pursue a career in industry.
Family life
Amid the schoolwork and late nights in the lab, Sharmin and Talukder welcomed their son, Prohor Sayhan Talukder, in 2023. Juggling schoolwork, lab responsibilities and parenthood wasn't easy, but they found a way with the support of their advisors.
Sharmin worked in the lab work during the mornings; Talukder took afternoons and nights. They also received support from their parents as well as UTA with subsidized childcare available to student parents.
"It was hard … very hard," Sharmin said. "There were moments I thought I couldn't continue and might need to leave, but Dr. Ghose and the lab were incredibly supportive. That made all the difference."
Added Talukder: "It's challenging but doable. You just have to plan carefully and stay committed."
A meaningful milestone
As Talukder and Sharmin prepare to walk across the stage together, the occasion represents far more than academic success—it's a testament to years of perseverance, partnership and shared dreams.
"My vision was always to successfully complete my research projects and graduate, but after having the baby, things became a bit difficult," Sharmin said. "There were moments I thought I couldn't continue, but eventually things worked out. Now that it's actually happening, it's very emotional. These are the moments we were waiting for."
For Talukder, the moment carries deep personal meaning.
"It's a proud moment for me—seeing Rashna grow as both a mother and a Ph.D. holder," he said. "Her journey wasn't easy, and I'm incredibly proud of her.
"Walking across the stage together will be one of the proudest moments of my life."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
